【Name: Zhao Xing】
【Realm: Non-Entry Grade】
【Fortune: Second Generation】
【Gathered Essence: Second Level (715/1000)】
【Spells: Basic Cultivation (Max Level)】
【Zhuozhuang Growth (Initial Level): First Turn (1101/9999)】
【Xingyun (Initial Level): Seventh Turn (7546/9999)】
【Qifeng (Initial Level): Fourth Turn (4124/9999)】
【Dalei (Initial Level): Fifth Turn (5784/9999)】
【Buyu (Initial Level): Third Turn (3541/9999)】
【Cao Mu Jie Bing: Third Turn (3084/9999)】
【Liu Chuan Bian Fa · Fragment (Four Types)】
【Fu Xing Cao Ren (Initial Level): Third Turn (3084/9999)】
【Chan Rao Cao Ren (Initial Level): First Turn (1201/9999)】
【Shen Xing Cao Ren (Initial Level): First Turn (1501/9999)】
【Jing Zhi Cao Ren (Initial Level): 475/9999】
【Ming Miao Ye Shi (Initial Level): (322/9999)】
【Wu Xing Guan Wu (Initial Level): (88/9999)】
【Secondary Profession: Talisman Master】
【An Hun Fu (Basic): (321/1000)】
【Dao Yin Fu (Basic): (525/1000)】
【Treasures: Pi Xiong Huang Li (Third Level Upper Grade)】
【Qian Li Chuan Ling Pai (Third Level Upper Grade)】
【Note: Initial Level spell proficiency increases by one turn for every thousand points, and below a thousand indicates just grasping it. The straw man is counted under the Cao Mu Jie Bing spell, but their spell proficiencies are calculated independently. Gathered Essence and talisman-making are not spells and are also calculated independently.】
"There are indeed golden houses within books. Although I haven't gained any new spells, just from reading these standardized texts for one night, my proficiency has increased so much?"
Zhao Xing felt that his absorption efficiency of the court's standardized legal texts was quite exaggerated.
However, he gradually got used to this speed; his Xingyun spell had reached the Seventh Turn, and his Dalei spell had reached the Fifth Turn, with no other spells left behind.
"The subtle transformation from the Dao Embryo Pill has just begun. Although my cultivation speed seems exaggerated, it's only in comparison to before. Currently, this speed is only considered excellent in a county, not astonishing. Once I completely undergo a transformation, I could be considered a genius in a prefecture."
After staying up all night, he felt more energetic.
After washing his face, Zhao Xing directly stepped out into the dark.
By the time he arrived at the Agricultural Affairs Bureau, the sky had brightened with a blue hue.
"Brother Zhao, good morning."
"Oh, isn't this Zhao Yijia?"
"After the beginning of autumn, wouldn't he be Zhao Erjia?"
"Hahaha."
Zhao Xing's colleagues greeted him as they passed by.
Zhao Yijia? When did I get this nickname?
"Thanks to everyone's good wishes." Zhao Xing didn't take it to heart, returning the greeting with a cupped fist, graciously accepting the nickname.
Just past the hour of the rabbit, over a hundred people had arrived at the Agricultural Affairs Bureau.
During Emperor Wen's reign, local officials were required to report to work at the fifth watch of the Chen hour, which is 8:15 AM. In winter, this was further delayed to the second watch of the Si hour, which is 9:30 AM.
Emperor Wen's leniency extended not only to the common people but also to officials.
Under Emperor Jing, who was known for his strictness, he led by example, and the reporting time for officials was significantly reduced.
Daylight saving time began at the first watch of the rabbit hour, while winter time began at the fourth watch of the rabbit hour, which is 5:15 AM and 6:00 AM, respectively.
During Emperor Wen's time, there was no requirement for clocking in, but Emperor Jing required officials to 'point the rabbit' for clocking in.
This meant that officials who had not acquired the Ming Miao Ye Shi ability even needed to carry lanterns to work.
"It seems that this year, there are quite a few aspiring officials, likely preparing for the small examination after the beginning of autumn." Zhao Xing observed the surroundings, where small officials were everywhere, carrying lanterns and books, even during meal times.
During peaceful years, taxes were not high; as long as one was not lazy, no one would go hungry for breakfast. Thus, these officials were all here to fight for their futures.
Everyone ate quickly, wolfing down their food before hastily getting to work. Zhao Xing had finished his meal and initially wanted to take a break, but seeing this scene, he felt a sense of guilt.
"Come on, who can't compete? In my past life, I had more than a dozen livers and could stay up for seven days and nights without blinking." Zhao Xing quickly finished his meal and headed to Huai Liu Courtyard.
Under Xue Wenzhong, there were many small officials, and the miscellaneous tasks assigned were few, but they were not nonexistent.
Since the beginning of summer, there had been a key task: to cooperate with the Heavenly Crafts Workshop to repair and monitor the 'Thirteen Canals of Pinghu.'
Due to frequent floods in the summer and autumn seasons, Grain City, located in the middle and lower reaches of the Canglan River, often suffered from natural disasters.
During the late period of the founding emperor, the land tax decree was issued, and Cao Xi repaired the Thirteen Canals of Pinghu, connecting the tributaries of the Canglan River to East Lake, and set up the Guiyuan Waterwheel. The vital Qi accumulated over the years caused the mountains by East Lake to rise higher and higher. Since then, East Lake Mountain became a place of spiritual beauty.
"The Agricultural Affairs Bureau wants to set up four new Guiyuan Waterwheels at East Lake, and the location planning for the one at Si Shui Bay is my Huai Liu Courtyard's responsibility. The three ordered by the Heavenly Crafts Workshop have all arrived, so why is ours still not in place?" Upon reaching Xue Wenzhong's office, he found him dealing with matters.
The official responding to him appeared to be over forty and was the oldest official in Huai Liu Courtyard, Ding Shan: "Old Xue, the Heavenly Crafts Workshop replied that the materials for the county have not been dispatched due to insufficient manpower, and the work period needs to be delayed."
"Delayed again?" Xue Wenzhong snorted, "Why is it that when it comes to me, there are all sorts of excuses? Do you think I am made of clay, without any temper?"
Noticing that Xue Wenzhong seemed different from usual, Ding Shan changed his address: "Sir, should I go urge them again?"
Xue Wenzhong tossed the document aside: "No need to urge again. I have written three reports; you will deliver them to Lord Chen Shijie, Lord Li Wenzheng of the county office, and one for Inspector Ji of Nanyang County. If urging Gongsun Jin is ineffective, then let these three gentlemen do the urging!"
After recovering from his illness, the old Agricultural Affairs official seemed to have become more assertive. Ding Shan felt a shiver in his heart at these words and quickly nodded in agreement, immediately starting to add seals and stamps.
Once Xue Wenzhong finished, he saw Zhao Xing waiting outside and immediately brightened up, waving with a smile: "Zhao Xing, come in."
"Teacher, I have come to clock in. I wonder if there is anything I can do to relieve your worries." Zhao Xing asked.
Xue Wenzhong stroked his beard and smiled: "With two hundred people in Huai Liu Courtyard, what matter would require your assistance? Just prepare well for the assessment."
Ding Shan cast a surprised glance at Zhao Xing. Seeing Xue Wenzhong pause, he wisely took his leave.
Stepping out the door, Ding Shan was astonished to see Xue Wenzhong allowing Zhao Xing to sit in his chair.
The usually impartial old Agricultural Affairs official was actually showing such favoritism towards someone? Could it be that this change was related to him?
Zhao Xing, however, did not notice this change in attitude, thinking it was just different after becoming a disciple. Since the old Agricultural Affairs official had no miscellaneous tasks for him, he could save some time to cultivate.
After reporting, he directly ran to the backyard to practice spells.
After advancing the Basic Cultivation Technique, he had acquired the initial level spell Zhuozhuang Growth, but he had practiced it very little recently, only reaching the First Turn.
The old Agricultural Affairs official had hinted that the assessment after the beginning of autumn would cover cultivation-related topics, so he needed to seize the time to practice.
"Eh? Why is there an extra piece of seedling in the vegetable garden in the backyard..." Zhao Xing was searching for a target to practice on when he was drawn to a corner of the vegetable garden.
(The chapter ends)